KESS - Addressing Farming and Natural Constraint Areas: Considerations When Legislating

ADDRESSING FARMING & NATURAL CONSTRAINT AREAS:

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN LEGISLATING

Parliament Buildings – Long Gallery

1.30pm: RaISe Researcher – Welcome

1.35pm: Assembly Committee Chair – Opening Remarks

1.45pm: Floodplain Meadows: Farming with Nature in Areas with Natural Constraint

Professor David Gowing, Mrs Olivia Nelson and Ms Emma Rothero, School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, The Open University

Extreme flood events are predicted to become more frequent. Resilient systems that can tolerate flooding and bounce back to provide an economic return are therefore needed. This presentation shares academic research findings concerning floodplain meadows and allied grasslands; findings that are relevant to Assembly deliberations on the Areas with Natural Constraints (Payments) Bill (https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/committees/2022-2027/agriculture-environment-and-rural-affairs/legislation/bills-primary-legislation/areas-with-natural-constraints-payments-bill/).

The presentation draws on research undertaken by The Open University Floodplain Meadow Partnership (https://university.open.ac.uk/sustainability/floodplain-meadows) (FMP) about United Kingdom government’s agri-environment action (CGS18 Floodplain Meadows (https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cgs18-manage-species-rich-floodplain-meadows)) under its Agri-Environment Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cgs18-manage-species-rich-floodplain-meadows) supporting English farmers whose land is increasingly difficult to manage, and about wider ecosystem services aimed to promote meadow conservation. Farmers increasingly struggle to maintain high-input business models on floodplain land, so the need for targeted support is highlighted that delivers multifunctional benefits. Moreover, evidence shows that floodplain meadows require no artificial fertilisers, remain productive during droughts and recover rapidly after floods, while also providing other benefits, including accommodating and cleansing floodwaters, sequestration and storage of carbon, resources for pollinators and an aesthetic contribution to the landscape.

For comparative purposes, to inform Assembly consideration of the Areas with Natural Constraints (Payments) Bill (https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/committees/2022-2027/agriculture-environment-and-rural-affairs/legislation/bills-primary-legislation/areas-with-natural-constraints-payments-bill/), this seminar examines how the English Agri-Environment Scheme awards payments that recognise a range of ecosystem benefits when providing farming with nature support – such as floodplain meadow management and restoration, a traditional means of growing hay in low-lying areas. While sharing research insights on how those benefits have served to inform and justify the payment rate, it also highlights how similar approaches are under consideration in Wales and Scotland, where similar to Northern Ireland farmers working on the land have been constrained by its flood risk.

2.05pm: Discussion

2.35pm: RaISe Researcher – Closing

2.40pm: Networking & Refreshments

Description supplied by the event organiser.